Bractlet

/ˈbrækt.lət/ noun

Definition

A small bract, which is a small leaf-like structure at the base of a flower or flower cluster on a plant.

Etymology

From 'bract' (from Latin 'bractea,' meaning thin sheet of metal) + the diminutive suffix '-let'. The term emerged as botanists needed increasingly specific terminology.

Kelly Says

Bracts are the green parts that look like leaves around flowers—bractlets are even smaller versions, and botanists had to coin new words because plants are incredibly diverse!

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